"We have never opposed process of Women's Reservation Bill": Omar Abdullah

Tue Sep 19 18:32:55 IST 2023

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 19 (ANI): With the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said that they are not against the bill adding that they have no objection if it is implemented.
"...Let it come... Who amongst us is opposing it? We have implemented it here at the levels that were appropriate for us in the Panchayats and local bodies. We did it much before the government of India, much before August 5, 2019. We have never opposed the process of reservation so that women get their rightful place in the decision-making of this country," Omar Abdullah said.

Earlier in the day, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam."
Introducing the bill in the house the minister said "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33% of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People."

Arjun Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.
Discussion for passing of the Bill in the House will be taken up on Wednesday, September 20. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21 government sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is bringing a new Bill to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies and that God has given him the opportunity to take forward the task of women empowerment.

Members of Parliament on Tuesday proceeded to the new Parliament building after bidding farewell to the old building.
Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was not taken up in Lok Sabha and lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. (ANI)